SEEING THE LIGHT

The afternoon was hot and sticky, but my brave girl was bent on adventure. So we descended into the cool darkness of the basement, holding hands and a Minnie Mouse lantern. 

We sat cross-legged on cold linoleum until a clatter indicated that blocks were dumped out, and an announcement was made that a castle was to be built right then and there.

“Let’s turn on the light?” I proposed. My imagination couldn’t see well by lantern.

My suggestion was politely ignored, so we set out to build a dream by faith, not sight. 

“Is this OK?” I asked my boss, who held the light.

She brought the lamp over and squatted down close, peering through the shadows at my slow progress.

With an understanding smile and a pat on my head, she turned back to her own work, offering encouragement over her shoulder.

“That’s really good, Nik. Keep doing it.”

So I kept working blindly in the black around me - grabbing a piece here and stacking one there, trying to determine how they could fit together in some semblance of purpose.

“I don’t know about this, Bug,” I confessed.

I felt her gentle hand rest on my own for a moment. “Don’t be afraid, Nik. I’m here with you.”

So I kept on, my efforts illuminated by the dimmest of bulbs and the God-given wisdom of a child.

Eventually, tuna fish sandwiches called to our rumbling tummies, so we rose and stretched, preparing to view our handiwork from another angle. 

I held my breath as she walked over and flipped on the light for the big reveal.

While I wasn’t sure what I expected to see, I had to admit - it wasn’t half bad.

But I kept my opinion to myself, waiting for my tiny friend’s reaction. After all, she was the real judge of my masterpiece.

“Good job, Nik!” she declared with a slap on my aching back.

Then she reached for my hand, and we climbed back up toward the sunshine together.

Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.

1 Corinthians 13:12b (tlb)